Self Improvement Books

13 Ratings:
3.0

A category of non-fiction books

Self-help books are books written with the stated intention to instruct any readers on a number of personal problems. Self-improvement is a term that is a modernized version of self-help, and bookstores use both terms to classify these types of books … see full wiki

Pop culture or simply a bunch of B.S.? OR The Secret of Success?!

In the early 80s, I was into pop music and couldn't live a day without listening to my favorite artists. In the late 80s, I was very into films and the notion of romance. In the 90s, I was into non-fiction books relating to self-improvement and the world at large. I've read dozens of books from each author I associated with. Most of them are famous in their own rights. To name a few:

In the 21st century, I was into travel and I've written all about it on my personal sites as well as on VirtualTourist.com.

When one has read as many book as I've had in this area, one gets into the rut of simply reading and not doing enough. Yes, my outlook changes over the years and all these authors help in one way or another. There is a universal theme in the book and that's offering change if one should need to and also hope when one is low on it. Overall though, it is up to yourself to manage how you think and that's of utmost importance. How one chooses to process one's thoughts and reactions is essentially up to each and every single of us. You don't need these authors to tell you so. But it is of course useful to know that you are not in it alone; that these people was once as clueless as you are if not even more so and that they also will still fall into depression even with fame and riches. And no, I'm not overly depressed that I need to read them all. I do enjoy reading them as I feel a sense of kinship with them somehow. They are at times like family to me so much so I've ingested a part of them into myself. That I was told at times to be inspirational by strangers and friends alike is probably a postiive proof of it. In any case, I'm just glad that I have contributed a little here and there, as with all these authors have helped (in much greater dimension and impact). It is an awesome feeling for each and everyone of them to have shared what they know and overcome the sense of failure. So, it is definitely not B.S. if you choose to set the theories in motion.

These authors differ in their area of specialties and you'll have to find the right dose of "medicine" should you wish to self-prescribe. Trust your own instinct though. That's how I often choose the books when I go to the bookstore. Flip trhough a page or two and begin reading and you'll learn if that's the book you need to pick up. The Law of Attraction operates in this world. It's been tested for me over and over again and I do believe I come into contact with experiences that I need at that point in time; be it people I meet, books I pick up or places I need to be in. So, one would hardly go wrong if one's is willing to trust the unknown.

Hi Sharrie.....good review....you make some very valid points here. I've read my share of these books myself. Self-help has its place,but you have to choose wisely....SOO many books in this area- some better than others- many authors just want to jump on the bandwagon and make a few bucks- some are known for just writing books, but what have they really done otherwise?? You can trust all of these authors. One that you didn't mention is M. Scott Peck, M.D....a fine philosopher of our time who wrote The Road Less Traveled....continues to sell millions in a variety of languages. He's a scholar, not just a marketer like John Gray or Anthony Robbins. Phil McGraw I can't stand....to me, a real phony. That's why I say, one has to be careful, as self-help has now become entertainment.....

SharrieSeptember 08, 2009

Hi Donna, yes, many things have become entertainment in this world. However, it's entertainment that sells and for many, that means survival. To attract readers, one needs to sell... as with all media, not just books. I read books first and foremost, and I understand what you said about Dr. Phil. That I've discovered through the internet and other feedback. But, I still think his books are readable. Marketers have their fair share of knowledge to impart and for one my job involves marketing a great deal. All in all, I do believe every reader takes away what he/she needs most in life from a book. So, yes, whatever sells has its value in it, even if purely for sales purposes.